6 Dec 2000 Kobe scores 51 points (7 Reb, 8 Ast) against Warriors, Bryant's first 50-plus game. Averages 28.5 points a game for the season, second on the team to O'Neal (28.7). In the same game. Antawn Jamison also scored 51 for the Warriors. The Warriors on won (125-122) in overtime though.

19 Jun 2000 While his statistics were impressive for his age, he was still a young guard who lacked the experience to complement Shaquille O'Neal and significantly help the team contend for a championship. However, Bryant's fortunes would soon change when Phil Jackson became coach for the Los Angeles Lakers.

After years of steady improvement, Bryant had become one of the premier shooting guards in the league, a fact that was evidenced by his annual presence in the league's All-NBA, All-Star, and All-Defensive teams. The Los Angeles Lakers became perennial championship contenders under Bryant and O'Neal, who formed an outstanding center-guard combination. Their success gave the Lakers their first NBA championship since 1988.

28 Jan 1999 During the 1998-99 season, Bryant signed a 6-year contract extension worth $70 million,the most a third-year player can get, which kept him with the Lakers until the end of the 2003–04 season.

31 Oct 1997 In Bryant's second season (1997-98), he received more playing time and began showing more of his abilities as a talented young guard. He was the runner-up for the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award, and through fan voting, he also became the youngest NBA All-Star starter.

8 Feb 1997 At the 1997 All-Star Weekend, Kobe Bryant was just some young kid from high school, trying to make a name for himself. By the end of the dunk contest, everyone knew Kobe Bryant was a star.

The dunk contest served as Bryant’s first chance to shine on a national stage. Playing behind fan favorite Eddie Jones, Bryant was relegated to coming off the bench during his rookie year, so very few were aware of what he was capable of.

3 Nov 1996 At the age of 18 years and 72 days, he played his first NBA game and at 18 years-158 days, the youngest starter. In his first game, Kobe played around 6 minutes, attempted a shot but missed it. But this kid had a future! A quite legendary one.

26 Jun 1996 Kobe Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996 at the age of just 17 (the second youngest at that time). Image : Kobe Bryant in 1996 NBA Draft as a Hornet.

23 Aug 1978 Born August 23, 1978 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Kobe Bean Bryant is the only son and youngest of three children of former Philadelphia 76ers player and former Los Angeles Sparks head coach Joe "Jellybean" Bryant and Pamela Cox Bryant.

Bryant started playing basketball when he was 3 years old and his favourite team when growing up was the Lakers.

Bryant earned national recognition during a spectacular high school career at Lower Merion High School. Kobe Bryant led Lower Merion to a State Championship before graduating in 1996.